Paestum, Italy

Paestum is an ancient Greco-Roman city in the Campania region of southern Italy (40 km south of Salerno), not far from sandy beaches in a region known for its mozzarella di bufula. Settled by Greek colonists in the 6th century BC, Paestum was later occupied by Lucanians, Romans and Christians. Malarial swamps led to the abandonment of the city in the 9th century AD, but also helped preserve the ancient city's finest artifacts. Today, Paestum boasts three well-preserved Doric Greek temples, ruins of ancient houses and a museum of Greek artifacts. As an extra bonus, the site is off the beaten tourist path and is often deserted. Paestum makes an excellent alternative (or complement) in southern Italy to the later, and more crowded, Roman ruins at Pompeii.